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To say Angus James Capot-Blanc Jr. was surprised to learn the Dehcho Youth Energy Council was named Arctic Inspiration Prize laureates would be an understatement.

"We were shocked when we found out we won," he said. "We heard our name called up and it really took us by surprise.

"We just started this council in October. With this extra funding, we have opportunities to do so much more. Now the real work starts."

The budding youth group was awarded $100,000 on May 13 to develop programming that will advocate for renewable energy and green alternatives to the infrastructure currently in place in the Dehcho region. Capot-Blanc Jr. is the educational resource lead for the council.

Meeting virtually every second week and hosting a formal in-person meeting every second month, the council will consist of four youth. The body plans to sit with the district education authority to put together lesson plans on renewable energy.

From there, the goal is to raise awareness among youth as to what possibilities exist in the energy transition and then connect them with the knowledge so they can build green jobs in the area.

"We want renewable energy to be taught in the Dehcho schools," said Capot-Blanc Jr. "In the schools, they're teaching mostly western science, nothing really focused around the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø lifestyle. Nothing on how to improve our communities.

"Everything you want to learn for that you have to go down south. We want our kids to stay in the community and help improve it."

Admitting the council is still in the early planning phases, Capot-Blanc Jr. said the ultimate goal is to establish a local capacity to install, operate and maintain renewable technology, particularly solar power. He expressed his thanks to the Dehcho First Nation and Gonezu Energy for their support of the council.

Top of mind for the council is ways Dehcho communities can move away from diesel power generation, which not only is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions but also is extremely expensive to ship into communities.

"Why run on diesel when there's something better and efficient?" he said. "Why should we spend so much money on this type of fuel when there's better alternatives.

"We want to get youth thinking — you can save money in our communities, they can play a role in it and we think since renewable energy is finally making its way into Canada, it should be known in the North as well. The North is paying crazy amounts for heat, fuel and electricity — we're trying to cause a spark.

"It's an unexplored job opportunity in the North."